Image copyrightMarie WilsonImage caption
In total, 17 animals died or were put down following the Anglesey attacks

The ewes and lambs in the field opposite their farmhouse had been chased into hedges by what is thought to have been two dogs.

Some of the sheep were ripped apart and died on the spot.

"All the animals that were attacked with injuries were put down. It was just such a sad ending to what had been a pretty good day on the farm," added Ms Wilson.

Their vet told them it was the worst dog attack he had witnessed in his career. A neighbouring farm lost three ewes and six lambs in the same attack.

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'Traumatic - heartbreaking' attacks says Marie Wilson

It took place while Wales were winning their Grand Slam Six Nations game against Ireland - but four weeks later, the farming couple, from Rhosybol near Amlwch are still affected by the attack..

They have had to get prescriptions from their family doctor to help them sleep.

"Lying in bed at night with the images, and then not only that, thinking 'Oh my god. what if it happens again', and then still getting up the next morning to carry on working on the farm. It's not an easy thing," said Ms Wilson.

Neither the dogs nor their owners have been formally identified or prosecuted.

Image copyrightMarie WilsonImage caption
Paw prints pinpoint the culprits were dogs - but they have yet to be caught

The attack is one of 40 so far this year in north Wales.

A further 48 have been reported in the Dyfed-Powys Police force area, while the Gwent Rural Crime Team said it continued to experience about 15 sheep-worrying cases a month.

South Wales Police said livestock worrying remained "a significant issue" for farmers, and has increased the number of officers and support officers trained in wildlife crime.

'People aren't listening'

Mr Taylor said it meant advances in DNA testing were not reflected in law, with police having no powers to take a sample from a dog suspected of worrying livestock.

He said they have no powers of seizing a dog known to have attacked livestock under that legislation, and no clear definitions on which animals were actually protected - animals such as llamas or alpacas for example, which are growing in popularity on farms.

"We've gone down the road of education, we've produced films and documentaries and posters, and tried to educate the public. However, people aren't listening," Mr Taylor said.

"We've come to the point where the law needs changing, we need stiffer sentences, we need banning orders on people in regards to these offences.

"We need to push on and wave that big stick, unfortunately, and make a big difference."